Robert Hazen, Robert Downs, and Daniel Hummer led the research. Hummer (pictured at right) continues to oversee the operation of the Carbon Mineral Challenge.

Why carbon minerals?

Carbon is one of the most chemically diverse elements, and occurs in compounds with almost every element of the periodic table. Most importantly, without carbon there is no life on Earth. Life has interacted with rocks over billions of years, generating a telltale geobiological footprint. “Mineral evolution” refers to the study of the dramatic changes in near-surface mineralogy over the course of Earth history. A central theme of mineral evolution is that life and minerals have co-evolved.

The Carbon Mineral Challenge will continue until September 2019. The Deep Carbon Observatory, sponsor of the Challenge, will publicly recognize each discovery as it happens and celebrate the final suite of newly discovered carbon minerals at the culmination of its decadal program in late 2019.

Where is this research taking us?
Carbon mineral evolution is providing a fresh perspective of Earth’s history by addressing suites of new questions. The answers to these questions may profoundly influence Earth materials research and education by telling the story of Earth in a new and exciting way.

What were the earliest carbon-bearing minerals on Earth?

Did carbon-bearing minerals play a role in the origin of life?

How did the evolution of life affect the evolution of carbon minerals (and vice versa)?

Are there carbon-bearing minerals on the Moon and Mars?

Are humans affecting the diversity and distribution of carbon-bearing minerals?